Infinite Evolution of Kamen Rider

"Woz, you're the one I trust the most. I won't keep secrets from you anymore. In truth, under the current conditions, it's impossible for me to become the Demon King while I'm still young."

"The key to my evolution into the Demon King… is actually Gates' death. So, you don't need to target him anymore. Just let things unfold as they will."

Woz was stunned. He rushed to Sougo, thoughts racing as he considered the implications of what he'd just heard. He couldn't be sure whether his Majesty the Demon King had already awakened the power of magic.

Unbeknownst to Woz, Sougo had already encountered Shinji Shiroto, the human identity of Kamen Rider Ryuki—before meeting Gates.

At the time, Sougo hadn't realized Shinji's true identity. He simply rescued him from the threat of the Another Ryuuga and, in the process, received guidance from a senior Rider.

After parting ways with Shinji, Sougo discovered he was still unable to use the second-tier Zi-O watch. So, following Ryuga's instructions, he continued to wander aimlessly—until something unexpected happened.

A hand suddenly reached out from a nearby glass surface and pulled Sougo into another world.

"Where… is this place?" Sougo asked, glancing around the silent, lifeless environment.

"This is the Mirror World—a world that exists in opposition to reality."

A voice spoke out, and Sougo turned to see… himself.

"Huh? Me?" he muttered, startled. Then he remembered a similar incident he'd experienced in the past. "Wait—are you me from three days in the future?"

"No," the other replied. "I am you. But I am you from the Mirror World."

The man standing before him—Mirror Sougo—wore a wicked grin, his posture twisted with arrogance. He was clearly the darker half.

Sougo, unsure but still hopeful, stepped forward and extended a hand. "It doesn't matter. You're still me… so come, help me."

"I am you. But you are not me," Mirror Sougo snapped, slapping Sougo's hand away. He then struck him across the face, sneering as he pulled out a Zi-O Ridewatch and initiated his transformation.

As expected, his transformation sequence was a mirrored version of the original. Though the armor looked identical at first glance, subtle differences stood out—the text, the belt, and the orientation of the emblems were all reversed.

"Not good!" Sougo muttered as he dodged a strike. He realized immediately that this version of himself was not an ally. He had no choice but to transform as well.

However, in the Mirror World, one's reflection represents their inner darkness—stronger and more aggressive. Just as Ryuga once overpowered Ryuki, Sougo found himself completely outmatched by his darker self.

After being knocked down several times, Mirror Sougo halted his assault and taunted, "Why won't you use that watch? Woz gave you a Time Watch infused with magical power, didn't he?"

Sougo hesitated, glancing down at the watch Woz had given him.

"See? You're no saint. This nonsense about a benevolent Demon King—what a joke!" Mirror Sougo laughed cruelly. "If you want to defeat the Another Ryuuga, you'll need the power of Every Demon King. So let's see what you choose."

Sougo struggled to his feet, Shinji's words echoing in his mind.

"If you don't accept the part of yourself trapped in the Mirror World, you'll never be able to move forward."

"I've never denied you," Sougo said firmly. "You're a part of me. I've never hesitated about becoming the Demon King. I've always known it would come at a cost."

"Nani?" Mirror Sougo faltered for a moment.

"There's both light and darkness in every heart. I hold both the desire to protect… and the capacity for destruction," Sougo continued. "If I ignore one half, I'll never reach the future I want."

He stared his mirror self down, voice steady. "I'm not lying to you. I'm not lying to myself."

I was so ruthless… I even fooled myself.

Mirror Sougo looked shaken. "Aren't you afraid of what you'll become?"

"Of course I am," Sougo replied. "But I'm willing to gamble on my future self."

He thought of Shinzo Rintaro, remembering how he had convinced him with the same conviction.

"And I believe in Gates. Ryuga said he would one day gain the power of a savior. If I ever become a true tyrant… I know Gates will stop me."

Mirror Sougo was silent for a long moment. Then, without another word, he produced a black Ridewatch inscribed with golden markings.

"Take it."

Sougo accepted the watch, noticing that its emblem resembled his own.

"Light and darkness. Past and future," Mirror Sougo said. "A true king is one who can unite both worlds."

Sougo then pulled out the Time Watch given by Woz. As he brought the two Ridewatches closer, golden light pulsed between them. They fused—revealing a golden crest beneath the silver dial. Mirror Sougo smiled faintly before dissolving into light, merging back into Sougo's body.

Before he could even comprehend what had changed inside him, Sougo received an urgent call from Tsukuyomi.

Gates was in trouble—fighting the Another Ryuuga alone.

Gates had been following Ryuga's advice to claim the Kamen Rider Ryuki Ridewatch. But as soon as he emerged from Shinji's side with the watch in hand, the Another Ryuuga appeared—likely tracking his movements.

With neither Sougo nor Woz present, Gates had no choice but to fight alone.

Perhaps emboldened by frustration and pride, Gates launched a finishing move in a desperate bid to destroy his foe.

[Finish Time!]

[Time Burst!]

He leaped into the air and unleashed a powerful Rider Kick. Flames erupted from the Another Ryuuga's body. Gates landed, breathing hard, watching the smoke.

Had he done it?

Unfortunately, no.

Though the enemy was damaged, it wasn't defeated. And retribution came swiftly.

A dragon-shaped mirror materialized in front of the Another Ryuuga. From it emerged a phantom version of Kamen Rider Geiz—locked in a mirrored Rider Kick.

Too slow to react, Gates was hit squarely in the chest by… himself.

Secret Skill: Gates Kicks Himself.

Only now did Gates realize just how devastating his own finisher truly was. His armor shattered, and the Geiz Ridewatch fell, breaking apart on the ground.

"GATES!" Tsukuyomi screamed. She rushed to his side and cradled him in her arms.

Gates opened his mouth slightly, as if to speak… but no words came. He gave one last exhale—and went still.

Gates, the unyielding warrior, died at the age of 49. He left no final words. He passed in peace…

Just kidding. It wasn't time for him to truly die—not yet.

Sougo arrived just in time, clutching his newly awakened second-tier Zi-O Ridewatch.

"Sougo! Gates…" Tsukuyomi's eyes were red with tears.

"It's alright," Sougo said calmly. "I'm not too late."

Meow? Tsukuyomi blinked. It's not time for someone to die?

For Sougo, it was perfect timing. Gates had only just passed. A few minutes later, and it would have been too late.

Sougo lifted the fully awakened Ridewatch. No dramatic visual effects followed. And yet—

[Finish Time!]

[Time Burst!]

Gates' body suddenly reversed its movement—as if time itself had rewound. His body rose into the air, mimicking the Rider Kick once more, then reversed back to the ground, unbroken.